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IN BRIEF

SOCCER

U.S. men top Mexico in World Cup qualifying

Michael Bradley scored twice to lead the United States to a 2-0 victory over Mexico in a World Cup qualifier Wednesday night in Columbus, Ohio, preserving the Americans' domination in the series over the last nine years.

On a wet and windy night at Crew Stadium -- under the threat of a tornado watch -- the Americans ran their record to 9-0-2 on U.S. soil against Mexico since 2000. Tickets had sold out in 90 minutes, with many of the 23,776 fans showing up hours before to stand in the rain while waving flags and wearing their national colors.

The match was the first of 10 in the final round of qualifying for each team. The United States next plays at El Salvador on March 28 before taking on Trinidad and Tobago on April 1 in Nashville, Tenn. Mexico hosts Costa Rica on March 28.

Also: David Beckham equaled England's appearance record for a non-goalie in the team's 2-0 loss to European champion Spain in Seville, Spain.

David Villa and Fernando Llorente scored the goals for Spain, extending the team's winning streak to 29 games. Spain hasn't lost a match since November 2006 and earned its 19th straight win overall and its third straight victory over England.

Beckham came on as a second-half substitute to equal Bobby Moore's record of 108 appearances by an England outfield player, but the on-loan AC Milan midfielder did little as England's eight-game unbeaten run was snapped.

Guus Hiddink, a 62-year-old Dutchman coaching Russia's national team, was chosen to manage Chelsea of England's Premier League for the rest of the season. Hiddink replaces Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was fired Monday after six months as manager.

WINTER SPORTS

American skier Miller hints at retiring soon

Bode Miller might not return for another shot at the Olympics.

The American skier said in an interview with UniversalSports.com that he's leaning toward retiring at the end of this season. The Winter Olympics are next year in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Miller is the defending overall World Cup champion and currently competing in the world championships in Val D'Isere, France.

Also: Lindsey Vonn might be out of the remainder of the world championships after tendon surgery to her right thumb, the result of cutting herself on a broken champagne bottle during a victory celebration.

The U.S. Ski Team said Vonn -- winner of last week's super-G and Monday's downhill -- is out of today's giant slalom and has been downgraded to a possible starter for Saturday's slalom.

The Wranglers scored three first-period goals and rolled to their eighth straight win, a 5-1 decision over the Ontario Reign in an ECHL game in Ontario, Calif.

Mick Lawrence had two goals and an assist for Las Vegas (26-18-4), Shawn Limpright had a goal and two assists, and Tyler Mosienko had three assists.

Goalie Matt Keetley stopped 21 shots for his first ECHL win.

Hockey great Guy Lafleur was ordered to stand trial in April on a charge of obstruction of justice in Montreal.

Lafleur was charged last year after he testified during son Mark's bail hearing on various charges, including uttering death threats, forcible confinement and assault.

Mike Green of the Washington Capitals scored for a seventh straight game, tying the NHL record for defensemen, but the host New York Rangers still won 5-4 in a shootout.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Eastern Washington, Wulff hit with sanctions

The NCAA penalized Eastern Washington's football program for numerous violations under former coach Paul Wulff, now the new coach at Washington State.

Among the violations announced were allowing ineligible athletes to practice, having too many assistant coaches and failure to properly monitor the team.

Eastern Washington was put on three years' probation and is banned from postseason play next season. It also was penalized two scholarships and had limits placed on recruiting and coaching.

In addition, Wulff cannot have any contact with the Washington State football team during the first three days of practice this season.

Also: Oklahoma State wide receiver Bo Bowling was suspended from the team after he was arrested on felony drug charges.

Bowling was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court documents.

MISCELLANEOUS

Cotto: Margarito should be barred everywhere

Former welterweight champion Miguel Cotto doesn't believe Antonio Margarito should be allowed to fight anywhere after his boxing license was revoked by the California State Athletic Commission.

Margarito, who punished Cotto last summer to win the title, had his license taken away for one year Tuesday after illegal wraps were discovered on his hands before a loss last month to Shane Mosley. The commission's decision probably will be upheld in other states.

Margarito's trainer, Javier Capetillo, also lost his license for at least one year.

"I think if it's up to me, we should all abide by the rule that was made," Cotto said during a conference call. "He was suspended for one year; he should be suspended everywhere. He has to abide by the rules, and I think if he can't fight in the United States, he shouldn't be able to fight at all."

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who attended the hearing, called the ruling "an outrage" and has said Margarito probably will appeal. In the meantime, Arum said it's possible that Margarito could fight in Mexico, where decisions made in the United States often are not upheld.

Also: Top-ranked Serena Williams and sister Venus will join Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic on March 2 in the BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup. The four will compete for $1.2 million in prize money at New York's Madison Square Garden.

The single-elimination showdown will feature three players who won Grand Slam titles in 2008. Ivanovic won her first major at the French Open, Venus won Wimbledon and Serena won the U.S. Open, along with this year's Australian Open.

Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher was slightly injured in a motorcycle accident in Cartagena, Spain. Schumacher fell during a private testing session of superbikes at a racetrack and was hospitalized with rib injuries, the Virgen Arrixaca Hospital in Murcia said. He was later released.

Justin Lamb of Henderson won his fourth NHRA national title in a fourth category, claiming the Super Gas division at the rain-delayed NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.

Lamb, 20, also reached the semifinals in Competition Eliminator before being ousted.

Bill Bayno returned to the Portland Trail Blazers as a player development coach after leaving the team last spring to become head coach at Loyola Marymount.

Bayno, who coached at UNLV from 1995 to 2000, lasted just three games at Loyola Marymount before taking a medical leave of absence. He resigned Jan. 12 and rejoined the Trail Blazers late last week after his doctor approved his return to work.

Pro golfer Jim Thorpe has been charged with failing to pay $1.6 million in federal taxes.

The charges filed in federal court in Orlando, Fla., accuse Thorpe of failing to pay taxes on income he earned from 2002 to 2004.

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